Sample Schedule

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​The representation of the following Course Requirements on a year-by-year basis is just a suggestion. Students are free to take these courses in any order they choose, provided they have mastered the course-specific prerequisites.

Fourth Year

DC 110

FOUNDATIONS OF CINEMA FOR MAJORS

This course deals with visualization and cinema literacy skills. Drawing heavily on a wide array of historical examples, the course will examine the many expressive strategies potentially usable in the creation of moving image art forms: image construction and manipulation, editing, composition, sound, narrative, and performance. An emphasis will be placed on story and storytelling. In addition to analyzing the works of others, students will also produce their own projects - putting theory into practice. This course has an additional fee. Prerequisite(s): None

DC 101

SCREENWRITING FOR MAJORS

This course introduces digital cinema majors to dramatic writing for motion pictures. The topics covered include theme, plot, story structure, character, and dialogue. Emphasis is placed on telling a story in visual terms. Students are expected to develop and write a short screenplay. PREREQUISITE(S): None

GD 105

INTRO TO VISUAL DESIGN

This course introduces the basic concepts of design for time-based digital media. Students study the principles of composition and color theory, and how these are affected by movement, duration and display. Vector and bitmap manipulation tools are explored in relation to game design, video and Internet production. PREREQUISITE(S): None

DC 206

HISTORY OF CINEMA PRODUCTION

This course studies the origins and rise of cinema production from the perspective of a filmmaker. The course examines critical historical events that impacted the industry and the craft of filmmaking; the emergence of the studio system, the coming of sound, audience shifts, emergence of other media and the rise of digital technology. PREREQUISITE(S): NONE.

DC 225

DIGITAL STILL PHOTOGRAPHY

This course is an introduction to the history and aesthetics of still photography and to the concept of photography as a descriptive and interpretive artistic medium. Students will learn the fundamental concepts necessary to shoot, edit, manipulate, and print digital still photographs. Students will learn to scan, capture, correct and enhance digital images and prepare files for output on black and white and color printing devices. Introduces students to theories, terminology, and applications of digital imaging technologies. Students will acquire the knowledge needed to analyze and critique existing work.
In addition, students will involve themselves in hands-on exercises with digital still photography, manipulation and printing. Demonstrations will facilitate learning software techniques and systems of working. Use of Adobe Photoshop will be extensively covered in this course. This course has an additional fee.

DC 220

EDITING I

Students analyze and assemble dramatic scenes under a variety of conditions and narrative strategies. Editing theories, techniques and procedures, issues of continuity, effects, movement and sound are examined as they relate to the fundamentals of cinematic montage and visual storytelling. This course has an additional fee. PREREQUISITE(S): NONE.

ANI 201

ANIMATION I

This course is an introduction to the art and practice of animation. It is a studio-based class, which will emphasize learning through process, experimentation and creation. Students will explore the limitless possibilities of animated motion in the context of cinema, computer games and the Internet. All genres and styles are within the scope of this class, including Anime, cartoons, computer game art, experimental art and special effects. In addition to how?, we will also explore and discuss why?, and the role and potential of animation in our society, and its place in other cultures as well. This course is designed for the student who wishes to pursue further study in the field, and provides intensive practice of the basic skills and methods through production. PREREQUISITE(S): ANI 105 or GPH 211 or ART 105 or GD 105

ANI 230

3D DESIGN & MODELING

Students will use computer modeling to explore the principles of 3-dimensional design. Projects involving object, character and architectural modeling will emphasize the aesthetic concepts of spatial proportion (scale, angle and position), silhouette, negative space, rhythm, balance, light/shadow and texture. Students will emerge with the ability to create well designed 3D models, and be familiar with the basics of polygonal modeling, texturing, lighting and rendering for animation, computer games and cinema. This course has an additional fee. PREREQUISITE(S): None

VFX 200

INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL EFFECTS

Students will explore contemporary concepts and approaches to production in the current state of film and video effects work. Digital and traditional methodologies will be covered, with a concentration on digital exercises illustrating modern techniques. This course has an additional fee. PREREQUISITES: NONE

DC 215

INTRODUCTION TO SOUND DESIGN

This course is an introduction to sound editing and sound design. The course examines the place of sound in cinema, both artistic and technological. The course will cover the basics of sound, microphones, and analogue-to-digital conversion. Lectures, readings, and film clips will be used to illustrate the language of film sound, as practiced by film directors, sound designers, and editors. Students will learn to edit sound assignments with Pro Tools and current technologies. This course has an additional fee. PREREQUISITE(S): None

DC 275

CINEMATOGRAPHY

This course is an intensive exploration of the craft, technologies and aesthetic principles of cinematography and lighting techniques. Lectures and in-class demonstrations will cover film and video formats, film stocks, film and digital cameras, exposure, lenses and optics, lighting units, lighting placement, lighting control, camera support, and camera movement. Class sessions will consist of lectures, demonstrations, hands on with cameras and lighting units, exercises, and screenings of selected film clips which demonstrate specific cinematography and lighting techniques. This course has an additional fee. PREREQUISITES: DC 210, DC 220

DC 210

DIGITAL CINEMA PRODUCTION I

This course is a beginning workshop in narrative film production. The course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of cinema, including camera and lens technology, composition, lighting, directing and sound recording. Utilizing digital technology, students will produce several films with an emphasis on visual storytelling and personal expression. This course has an additional fee. PREREQUISITE(S): DC 220

DC 222

CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD FILM STRUCTURE

Critical analysis of successful Hollywood films and their narrative structures. Films of various genres and eras will be examined. Students will learn how to recognize classical three-act structure in finished films and scripts. Students will develop a cinematic language with which to discuss films as well as a toolbox of techniques to use when making films. Key story concepts to be discussed include: protagonist, antagonist, want versus need, elements of the future, poetic justice, planting and payoff, catalyst, climax, and Aristotelian terminology. PREREQUISITE(S): NONE

VFX 278

DIGITAL COMPOSITING I

This course is an introduction to compositing and special effects in digital post production. Using current editing/compositing software, students will learn techniques used to combine live action footage with 2D and 3D animation and graphics. PREREQUISITES: DC 220 and VFX 200

ANI 231

3D ANIMATION

This is an introductory course in 3D animation. It will emphasize traditional animation principles as applied to 3D animation. Topics will include: principles of animation, storyboarding, transformations and deformations of 3D objects, rigging, camera and light animation. This course has an additional fee. PREREQUISITE(S): ANI 230

ANI 260

MOTION GRAPHICS

This course will introduce the student to effective communication using motion graphics, including its application in the areas of film titles, broadcast and commercial design, interactive media, and gaming. The combination of music, visuals and typography will be explored following the basic theories of kinetic composition and aesthetics. Students will study the history of the field, including the work of pioneers such as Norman McLaren, Saul Bass and Len Lye. PREREQUISITE(S): Sophomore Standing and one of the following: ANI 105, ANI 101, GD 105, ART 105, GPH 211, DC 205

DC 315

POST-PRODUCTION SOUND DESIGN

This course expands on topics covered in DC 215. Emphasis will be on mixing and editing techniques for music and sound effects. Coursework also includes the recording of natural sounds and special effects to reinforce images and the story. The course is intended for advanced students who wish to develop their skills and gain more experience in preparing and mixing sound tracks for traditional as well as interactive narratives. This course has an additional fee. PREREQUISITE(S): DC 215

DC 310

DIGITAL CINEMA PRODUCTION II

This course expands on topics covered in DC 210 Production I. Students will refine their skills in the areas of line-producing, pre-production, cinematography, lighting, sound recording, post production work flow. This course has an additional fee. PREREQUISITES: DC 210, DC 220, DC 275

DC 320

EDITING II

This course expands on topics covered in DC 220. Emphasis is on developing the student's understanding of the art of cinematic storytelling and montage. Work on more advanced projects is integrated into the class as a means of mastering advanced editing tools and techniques. This course has an additional fee. PREREQUISITE(S): DC 220

VFX 378

DIGITAL COMPOSITING II

This course expands on topics covered in VFX 278. Emphasis is on developing the student's understanding of advanced compositing techniques and design. PREREQUISITES: VFX 278

DC 325

COLOR CORRECTION

Students acquire a working knowledge of the aesthetics and technical aspects of the post-production phase of color correction. Content addresses theory and application of color correction, image control, and manipulation techniques. Principles of color theory and the tools available to filmmakers engaged in the processes of electronic media and image manipulation are explored through lecture, interactive computer exercises, and hands-on experience with professional color correction software. PREREQUISITE(S): DC 320

DC 375

ADVANCED CINEMATOGRAPHY

This class explores the emerging HDTV/HDV technologies along with advanced production techniques of camera movement, lighting, rigging, camera filtration and shot composition. Students will be given hands on training in the use of the latest High Definition Video cameras and then create a short script which they will shoot and edit in High Definition. This course has an additional fee. PREREQUISITE(S): DC 275

DC 398

DIGITAL CINEMA CAPSTONE

This course provides a Digital Cinema-specific capstone experience for the student. Students must have completed at least one of the three Topics in Production courses before they enroll in this course. The capstone course will connect the students' Digital Cinema course work with the University courses s/he has taken through three components: student-generated production packages, class/instructor discussions, and the actual creation/production of the student's proposal. The production piece is the primary focus of this course. PREREQUISITE(S): DC 303 OR DC 310 OR ANI 350